A little about us…

For over 30 years, Dance & Gym has provided quality education in the art forms of dance and acrobatics. We strive to give your children a safe and happy environment to perfect their skills. All staff members have been trained not only by their dance and tumbling instructors in Evangeline Parish, but also at countless conventions and competitions by nationally acclaimed professionals. Veronica and Misty have continued their dance education by becoming certified members of Dance Masters of America. They continue to travel to various conventions to keep up with the upcoming styles of dance.

Misty Manuel Arnold, Head of the Dance Department, has been taking dancing and tumbling since she was two years old under Chad and Veronica Manuel. By 8 years old, she began attending conventions where instructors like Mia Michaels and Kenneth Jenkins taught her Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Hip Hop. She loved all dance forms, yet Pointe has been the love of her life. She studied under Dance Mistress Sarah Stravinska for many summers where she learned a national winning pointe combination called "Raymonda." She performed in the Professional Production of the Nutcracker for five years with Jacobi Dance Company at the Heymann Center. She was a competitive gymnast for 6 years. During her gymnastics days, she received instruction from Bela Karolyi who coached Olympic gymnasts like Mary Lou Retton and LSU Gymnastic coaches in Baton Rouge, La. By the end of her high school years, she was both an All-American Dancer and Cheerleader.

Misty has received instruction in jazz and hip hop from teachers who were featured dancers on the movie Center Stage among many others. Her love for dance continued through her college years where she earned a degree in Francophone Studies/French Language which has been a great asset in keeping up with the trends of her professional ballet education. Her minors in Dance, Spanish, and History combined with progress toward her Masters Degree in Secondary Education enhance her ability to teach new skills to her dance students.

Heading our acrobatic department are Chad Manuel & Abigael Triplett. Abigael was a past cheerleader of Mamou High School. Both were acrobats and have trained in acrobatics since they were young. Chad has coached for over three decades, teaching students to use their own muscles to power their tumbling (without the aid of trampolines or springs) for maximum performance when cheering or tumbling on the football field or gym floor. Mrs. Barbara Fontenot and Ms. Peggy Doucet have attended countless conventions and competitions in both Dance and Tumbling. They are experts in preparing students for Chad’s advanced line by helping them rehearse and master the basics, which are the building blocks to a successful tumbling education.

Our staff also includes several Graduates of Dance & Gym who now assist with Dance & Tumbling classes - Kelli Vidrine, Anna Fontenot, Rainee Deshotel, Sarah Manuel, Britney Fontenot, Kelly Wilmouth, Kiara DarDar, London Ritter, Sara Reilly, Morgan LeBlanc, Sydni Ortego, Ella Grace Miller, Colleen Fontenot, Anna Drago & Kennedy Ardoin. Dance & Gym has produced several students who have gone on to dance and cheer both collegiately and professionally.

Our office staff includes Dana Fontenot, Carla Daigle, Tobi Leger, Alicia Beaver, Natalie Brignac, and Laurie Blanchard.

Heading our Cheer department are Dance & Gym Graduates Logan Ship (College McNeese Cheerleader) & Sara Reilly (College UL CheerLeader). They both host clinics to help students prepare for Elementary, Junior High, High School & College Cheer/Tumbling tryouts.

We hope it comforts you in knowing that we are educated, experienced, and committed to giving your child not just a fun time with their friends, but safe and proper dance and tumbling instruction as well. Thank you for choosing Dance & Gym...there is a difference.